And A Strong Cup of Coffee

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Maine outdoors.
Maine outdoors.

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Turkeys in winter

These birds were making their way to the little water hole as we pulled into the driveway.  There were six total that walked through, each stopping to get some water before continuing on. Just a few more months until the spring season starts!

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Deer Season 2015

We kicked off the new season on Saturday and it could not have been a better morning.  The moon was out, the stars were bright and there was just a slight chill in the air.  It was 24 degrees. After last year's last minute switch in sitting spots and my success, I let Hubby pick where he wanted to sit.  He wanted the Sky Condo and I took T3.  As the three of us walked along the path into the woods, the silence was broken by a single howl. It was loud and close. Sound travels Dad said but we all knew that the coyote was close.  He was probably in the woods between us and T3. Luckily, it was just one coyote (only one was howling.)  We split from Hubby and headed directly towards T3 as another howl came....

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GoPro Bass catch

As I was reeling in the first bass that I would keep, Don started the GoPro to document the actual catch.  Hmm... I may need to get one of those! Come here please. Gotcha! Bringing him into the boat   YUM A big thanks to Don at Maine Outdoors for sending these...

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Bass: it’s what’s for dinner

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to catch Don Kleiner of Maine Outdoors with some free time on his hands and convinced him to take me fishing.  We could not have picked a more perfect day to be away from the world and on the water. We set off to catch Smallmouth Bass.  Having caught my first fish with Robin, I was hopeful that I could at least catch something besides grass.  Don was brave enough to attempt to teach me how to fish a few years ago and I hoped, as I stepped into the boat, that I had improved my skills a little bit since then. Our first spot was a fairly shallow spot near some overhanging trees.  Don taught me that fish do not have eyelids so when it is sunny out, they usually hid in the shade...

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Ready or not, we are taking over the industry.

The following is an article that will be published in the Northwoods Sporting Journal in the August issue.  Women are on the move!  We are taking over the woods, fields and waterways to hunt, hike and fish.  And we are doing it more often than men. An article posted in June on Ammoland’sShooting Sporting News, states that “the most recent U.S Census found that there are 13.7 million hunters in the Nation – 11 percent of them are women.”  Slowing but consistently, women are picking up guns and rods and heading outside.  We are getting into hunting and fishing and taking it seriously; it is becoming more than just a seasonal hobby for most women.  According to a 2013 Nation Shooting Sports Foundation...

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A little nostalgia to make you smile

A little while ago, I wrote about George Smith's book, "A Life Lived Outdoors." At the time, I had not finished the book.  Now that I have I want to share more of my thoughts. If you love the outdoors and have hunting and fishing stories of your own, you will immediately connect with George and his retelling of those days in the woods.  There is an immediate smile that comes across your face as you read about camp and the sounds, smells and feel of being in a small building surrounded by the Maine North Woods.  I couldn't help but be jealous of George's ability to leave the hussle and bussle of  daily life to retreat to a place where the windows may need to be replaced but the fish bite, the moose are neighbors and...

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Here a tree stand, there a tree stand, everywhere a tree stand!

While out on our snowmobile ride, we went down a stretch of powerline that was peppered with deer stands.  I envision something like the Dunkin Donuts/snowplow commercial where one deer steps out and there are at least three hunters ready to take aim. I am glad that we hunt on private land! Here are the photos.  Which one would YOU want to hunt...

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Final ride of the season

Getting ready to ride A couple weekends ago, Dad, Hubby and I went snowmobiling.  It was warm, sunny and the snow was pretty soft.  While winter has no desire to leave Maine, this was probably the last ride of the year due to our weekends being booked. Dad's goal for all trips, anywhere and any time of year is to see deer.  I regularly get reports about how many he is seeing and where.  So we headed out with the goal of getting some fresh air and seeing deer. "If I don't move, they won't see me" And without fail, Dad found us a deer.  You probably can't see it very well in that cluster of trees, but you can make out the round body and an ear.  It was probably the closest that I have been to a deer while...

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A must read!

If you have ever wondered what life in the Maine outdoors is like, you need to read my friend George Smith's book "A Life Lived Outdoors". It is a compilation of stories and articles that he has written over the years, so you don't need to rush through the book to get to the end of the story.  This a wonderful book that allows you to read a story and set the book down and think about what you have read.  I am currently dreaming about what my future camp should be like and what it will smell and feel like to step outside early on a summer morning with a cup of coffee. I am only a few stories in, but I have found myself smiling and laughing and yearning to get outside.  I am keeping this book close so that I can sneak in a...

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